Peterg



(No Model.)

P. P. .RIOKENBAOHER. BRAKE BLOOK.

No.892g884. Patented Nov. 13, 1888.

N PETERS. Phnlo-L'llhogrlphnr, Wuhingion. 0. C.

PAUL P. RIOKENBAOHEB, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AS- SIGNOR TOTHE NATIONAL BRAKE-BLOCK COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

BRAKE-BLOCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 392.884, dated November13, 1888..

Application filed August 18, 1888. Serial No. 283,128. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL P. RICKENBAOHER, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, haveinvented certain-new and useful Improvements in Brake-Blocks; and I dohereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descriptionof theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to whichit appertains to make and use the same.

The invention relates to certain improve ments in brake-blocks forvehicles; and it consists in the peculiar construction and arrangementof the several parts, as will be more fully i 5 hereinafter explained inthe specification and specifically claimed.

' Theolaject of the invention is to constructa simple, cheap, and at thesame time durable brake-blockone that will be most effective inoperation and which can under all circumstances be brought squarelyagainst the wheel, even though a larger portion of its workingfaceshould be worn away. This object I attain by the mechanism illustratedin the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 represents a perspectiveview of a brake-block embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the line00 :r of Fig. 2.

In the drawings, the letter A indicates a brake-bar or shaft, such as isusually located in the front of the vehicles rear wheels; and B, abrake-block secured to saidshaft and adapted 3 5 to be brought intocontact with the periphery of said wheels in the usual manner.

The shaft Ain the present case has a threaded end, a, which isprovided'with a nut, a, and is also provided with a shoulder or flange,O, 40 the lower surface of which is rounded or camshaped, for a purposeas will presently appear. The brake-bloeks of many vehicles now in usehave been heretofore constructed of wood, and sometimes thewearing-faces of these 5 blocks are protected by a plate of metal orshoe; but in either case the wear upon the blocks when applied to heavyroad-wagons is such that in a comparatively short time the said blocksbecome worn to such an extent as to greatly impair their usefulness,thus rendering it necessary to replace them with new ones. In thepresent instance I have con structed the block preferably of cast-iron,the slightly-increased cost and weight of which are more thancompensated for by the length of time the block may be used. At the sametime, owing to its shape, the block may be cast with but little troubleand cost.

The block B has its working-face curved to correspond with the curvatureof the wheel, and is provided on its rear with a loop, I), the innerface of which is set back sufficiently far from the corresponding faceof the block to form a shoulder or seat, D, as shown in Figs.

1 and 2, and against which the curved or camshaped portion of the flangeO rests. The outer end of the shaft A is passed through the loop 2)until the flange O is brought against the inner face of said loop, andthe nut a screwed upon the threaded end of said shaft until it meets orabuts against the outer face of the loop, but not with sufficient forceto prevent the brake-block from turning slightly upon its axis.

From this description it is manifest that when the brake-block isbrought against the tire ofthe wheel it will oscillate upon the shaft,and thus bring its Working face squarely against said wheel. By reasonof the curved or cam-shaped flange the block is permitted to oscillate,but only sufficiently to cause it to be brought directly against thetire of the contiguous wheel.

It is well known that one of the most common and annoying resultsincident to many of the blocks as at present constructed is theliability of the block turning on its axis sufficiently to throw theblock entirely over, thus impairing the working of the block andnecessitating its removal and readjustment. My 0 invention is designedto overcome this objectionable feature, and, as will be observed, it isaccomplished by the engagement of the block with the cam-flange, whichprevents the block under any possible circumstances from rotating in anare greater than what is necessary to bring the curved face of the blocksquarely against the periphery of the wheel.

The loop I) is provided with a set-screw, E, or equivalent device,whereby the block is eoaae t prevented from slipping off the shaft inthe event of the nut a by accident becoming detached from the end of theshaft. The upper portion of the shaft within the loop is slightly 5 cutaway, as shown at e, to be engaged by the set-screw.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is- 1o 1. Thecombina-tiomwith abrake-bloekhaving a shoulder, of a shaft or brake-bar havingv a flangeprovided with a cam-surface engaging said shoulder and limiting theoscillatory movement ofsaid block, substantially as'speci- 15 fied.

2. The combination, with a metallic brake block having a loop to receivethe end of the brake-bar or shaft and a shoulder, of a shaft PAUL P.RIOKENBAGIIER.

\Vitnesses:

ANDREW MAYER, CHAS. XV. DARR,

